ES2701950B2 - DEVICE FOR MASSAGE AND STRETCHING OF CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BODY - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

DEVICE FOR MASSAGE AND STRETCHING OF CERTAIN PARTS

OF THE BODY

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention, as the title of the invention establishes, a device for the massage and stretching of certain parts of the body, preferably for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis and preferably in fingers, that is, a device that placed on the body part to be treated and particularly in the fingers and in the area of the joints allows the treatment and improvement of the ailments in the fingers, that is to say it works as an individual device (active stack splint) that performs the functions of stretching , straighten, heat and massage and / or vibrate the joint joint of the phalanges of the fingers.

The object of the present invention is also a glove or the like in which at least one of the fingers of the glove is installed the individual device developed for one of the fingers, which can also be used for gloves.

The present invention characterizes the special configuration and design of the elements used, their nature and functionality so that a device for the treatment and improvement of the diseases derived from osteoarthritis is achieved, since it is formed by at least two caps or rings perimeter element in aligned arrangement joined on their faces faced by a means capable of modifying in a controlled manner the distance that separates the bushings that generates an axial force between bushings, provided at least one of the bushings with means to accommodate a vibration generating means fed from a control unit (8), so that the double massage and / or vibration functionality is performed simultaneously on the one hand, and on the other hand, stretching of the part of the body where it is applied, preferably on the fingers to avoid compression during vibration, and correct the existing deformation in the ailment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The fingers, hands or wrists suffer the consequences of excessive use of the joints, joint, muscle or bone problems or even as a result of medical conditions. Effects such as burning, itching or pain are generated, you could even feel that these parts are tired, sore, stiff, numb, hot, cold or tingling.

Occasionally it is not possible to move them as well as always or they may be swollen. Maybe the hands have a different color, such as red, pale or blue. It is possible that a lump appeared on the wrist, palm or fingers.

Problems in the fingers, hands or wrists could be caused by an injury. However, there are many other causes of problems in the fingers, hands or wrists.

Problems with excessive use:

- Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on a nerve (median nerve) in the wrist. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, weakness or pain in the fingers and hands.

- Tendon pain is actually a symptom of tendinosis, a series of very small tears (micro tears) in or around the tendon tissue. In addition to pain and tenderness, common symptoms of tendon injury include less strength and movement in the affected area.

- De Quervain's disease can occur in the hand and wrist when the tendons and the covering (protective sheath) of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist swell and swell. - Repetitive motion syndrome is a term used to describe symptoms such as pain, swelling or tenderness that occur by repeating the same movement over and over again.

- Writer's cramps develop with repeated movement of the hands or fingers, such as typing or typing activities.

A trigger finger or a trigger thumb occurs when the flexor tendon and its wrap on a finger or flea swell or swell

Bone, muscle or joint problems:

- Dupuytren's disease is an abnormal thickening of the tissue under the skin, in the palm of the hand or in the hands and, occasionally, in the soles of the feet. Finally, thickened skin and tendons (palmar fascia) may limit movement or cause the fingers to flex and cannot stretch.

Problems due to medical conditions.

Diabetes, pregnancy, osteoarthritis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Raynaud's phenomenon, infections

Excessive use of the finger when writing can lead to joint stress and even generate Quervain tenosynovitis (inflammation of the sheath of the sheath of the long abductor tendon and the short extensor of the thumb, which happens when passing through the tunnel at the level of the radial styloid ) and rhizarthrosis of the thumb.

Doctors from the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota (USA) stressed that every year more consultations come from patients suffering from a condition called "cell phone thumb." It is the inflammation of the terminal portion of the muscle, which if it progresses in its deterioration determines a more severe injury. It occurs when the tendon bends and flexes, generating inflammation of the finger. Is In the past, factory workers suffered a lot due to the characteristics of their jobs.

Kristin Zhao, a biomedical engineering specialist at the institution, has been studying this topic for seven years. For her, the thumbs make awkward movements when a cell phone is handled. Explain that the joints are loose and loose, so that the bones move differently in a normal situation. This could be causing the onset of pain and eventual osteoarthritis.

Different devices have been developed in the state of the art that seek to alleviate muscular, articular pain of the fingers, using vibratory means that seek to massage the painful area, such as those described in the patents: US2013309951, GB2479358, WO2010033055, WO9632915 which disclose devices based on vibratory means applied to the fingers using a bushing on which to mount the vibrating means.

However, none of these devices perform any stretching functionality on the fingers simultaneously while massaging and / or vibration occurs on the joint area.

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to develop a device that allows to apply in a simple and effective way for all the aforementioned conditions, where a massage / vibration is applied simultaneously in the joint area while producing a stretching effect of the affected finger or area, all this without having to travel to a specialized center where said treatment takes place by developing a device such as the one described below and is collected in its essentiality in the first claim.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is a device for massaging and stretching certain parts of the body, preferably for the treatment of arthritis and osteoarthritis of body parts, preferably on fingers of both hands and feet.

The device comprises at least two bushings joined on their faces facing each other by a means capable of modifying in a controlled manner the distance that separates both bushings, which could be a programmable elastic means that generates a fixed or variable axial force between bushings, where at least one of the bushings is provided with at least one means of generating vibrations.

The means capable of modifying the distance that separates both bushings generates a stable axial force between bushings, and it can be a controlled spring, or a metal with shape memory, programmable plastic, the electromagnetic actuator itself or some ribbons or wires or sheets cables that they have shape memory or any other means that allows varying their length at the will of the electronic controller, either mechanically, by temperature, current, etc.

The objective of the means capable of modifying the distance that separates the bushings is to generate a force that initially separates the two phalanges, creating a sufficient offset so that the massage in the form of vibration does not press them when it has approach value.

Another embodiment to generate the stable axial force between the bushings is by means of an air pressure, and the air pressure can also be used to be able to hold the bushings to the fingers and thus be able to ensure a better stretching.

The bushings may have the geometric configuration that is most convenient to accommodate the fingers inside, being able to adopt the shape of hollow cylinders, one or all bushings or a thimble one of the bushings or combinations of the above forms.

The bushings have to be fixed to the finger in different ways, which can be by means of an adhesive, by pressure or with a lung or bladder.

At least one of the bushings incorporates a vibration mechanism provided with means that allow it to control its intensity, phase and speed. These vibration mechanisms can be implemented as eccentric mass motors, or by electromagnetic actuators with different static or moving coil configuration. Eccentric mass motors can also be combined with electromagnetic actuators in the same set

Such tapes, wires or cables or sheets are small section elements that contract (typically 2% to 5% of their length), such as muscles when electrically operated or heated. This ability to flex or shorten is a characteristic of certain alloys, which dynamically changes its internal structure at certain temperatures. In the case of Flexinol® it is achieved by circulating a current that shrinks although there are many materials that can be used with different properties.

In addition, the bushings have housings in which to arrange the vibration generating means, which among which motors can be used in combination with an eccentric, or an electromagnetic actuator with an oscillating mass inside, or the displacement combined with the vibration thanks to an electromagnetic mechanism (figures) that combines the two desired functions.

The device can have vibration control means in parameters such as intensity, phase and speed thereof.

The vibration movement of the means is controlled in such a way that it can establish mutual approach, distance or axial displacement in the same direction. This is possible thanks to the phase control of the vibration means by the monitoring system. A low frequency harmonic movement can also be generated if there are similar phases.

Thus, if the two vibration means have equal phases then an identical axial displacement effect occurs. On the other hand, if the phases are opposite, then there is an effect of alternating local extension and compression, which is subsequently modified by the elastic means of attachment to suppress compression, leaving only alternate extension between phalanges and benefiting the patient. Finally, if the phases are slightly displaced then there will be a low-speed massage (depending on the amount of lag).

The combined action of the means capable of modifying in a controlled way the distance that separates the bushings together with the bushings provided with vibration generating means, produces a combined effect on the joint, on the one hand, they massage it, at the same time it occurs an effect of modification of the distance or free gap in the joint separating the phalanges due to an axial force, which relieves and reduces the pain generated by the action of osteoarthritis and / or arthritis.

The device can be used with a dedil previously placed on the finger to be treated and where said dedil inside has an analgesic and / or anti-inflammatory that favors the treatment. Finally, the device may be covered by a second protective finger.

This device has among other applications the following:

- Treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis

- Treatment of tendinitis,

- Carpal tunnel injuries,

- Treatment of Dupuytren's disease (also called Dupuytren's contracture) is a fibrosis in the palmar fascia. Of unknown origin that causes the progressive closure of the hand by retraction of the superficial palmar aponeurosis, and

- finger on the triger.

Another application of this technology can be applied to the Achilles tendon, placing at both ends of the tendon the vibration / extension means as explained above, with the appropriate modifications for fixation in the body.

As also indicated above, it is the object of the present invention to develop a glove or the like provided with the described device that will be arranged in at least one of the fingers of the glove and even in all of them, so that different treatments may be treated simultaneously. fingers

Unless otherwise indicated, all technical and scientific elements used herein have the meaning normally understood by a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. In the practice of the present invention methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used.

Throughout the description and the claims the word "comprises" and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical characteristics, additives, components or steps. For those skilled in the art, other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent in part of the description and part of the practice of the invention.

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization thereof, accompanies as an integral part of said description, a set of drawings in which the following has been represented as illustrative and not limiting.

In Figure 1, we can see a general representation of the device applied on a finger.

Figure 2 shows in detail the device as a whole.

Figure 3 shows a possible embodiment in which one of the bushes is a finger.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show different views of the device where the means for generating a stable axial force is by means of compressed air, the air also being used as a means of attachment to the part of the body where it is desired to apply.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION.

In view of the figures, a preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

In figure 1 we can see a finger (1) on which there is a limb covering its limb (2) that inside is covered by an anti-inflammatory and / or analgesic gel or ointment and on said dedil in the part that can be covered the device itself is provided, comprising a first bushing (3) and a second bushing (4), both, in the embodiment shown, of cylindrical and hollow configuration and joined by elements by means (5) capable of modifying in a way controlled the distance that separates the bushes as rods or elastic bands provided with elastic memory.

The means (5) capable of modifying in a controlled way the distance between the bushings and generator of a stable axial force can be several, such as thermo-stretch wires. used as muscles in robotics, or compressed air or any other means generating an axial force or elastic material capable of being able to recover the initial position.

A material is said to have elastic memory when it regains its shape after stopping applying the external force that deformed it.

A possible elastic material used in the manufacture of thermosetting wires can be a wire of a special alloy of Nickel and Titanium that, when the current passes through it or is heated, increases its length and is capable of moving or lifting objects. These wires can be Nitinol ® or Flexinol ®, or any material that has elastic memory that allows it to recover its initial shape.

Nitinol is a shape memory material that can regain its shape after deforming it in a seemingly irreversible way. It is an alloy of Ni and Ti known as Nitinol.

On the first bushing (3) and the second bushing (4) there are housings (3.1) and (4.1) respectively in which to house a vibration generating means (6) and (7) respectively, which can be both a motor associated with an eccentric, such as an electromagnetic mechanism provided with an oscillating winding housed inside or the combination of both. The arrangement of the means generating a vibration does not have to be arranged on all bushings and can be on only one of the bushings.

The first vibration generator means (6) has power cables (6.1), while the second vibration generator means (7) has power cables (7.1) both from a control unit (8) in charge to regulate the intensity, phase and speed of it.

An embodiment is shown in Figures 4 to 6 in which the programmable elastic means (5) generating a stable axial force consist of cavities filled with compressed air produce a force or separation between the bushings (3) and (4) .

The compressed air can also be used as a means of securing the bushes to the fingers.

It is possible to combine the different means capable of modifying the distance that separates the bushings (compressed air, thermo-stretch wires, etc.) with the different means of fixing the bushings to the fingers (adhesive or by pressure or with a lung or bladder etc.)

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which is not limiting, it is noted that the first bushing (3) has a duct (3.2) connected with an inflatable lung (3.3) (Figure 5 and 6) to which it supplies pressurized air ensures the fixation of the cap to the finger. The second bushing (4) also has an air supply duct (4.2) to its corresponding lung (4.3) (figure 6) and that swelling ensures that the bushing is fixed to the finger.

The means (5) capable of modifying in a controlled manner the distance that separates the bushes have an air supply duct (5.1) towards interposed pipes between the bushes (3) and (4) so that according to the pressure of supplied air produces a greater or less separation between the bushings, that is to say they generate a stable axial force.

Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is noted that, within its essentiality, it may be implemented in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example. , and which will also reach the protection that is sought, provided that it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.

Claims (10)

1. - Device for the massage and stretching of certain parts of the body comprising at least two bushings joined on their faces facing by means capable of modifying in a controlled way the distance that separates the bushings and that generates an axial force between bushings, where at least one of the bushes has a housing to accommodate a vibration generating means fed from a control unit characterized in that of the two bushes there is a first bushing (3) that has a housing (3.1) to house a first carriage vibration generator (6) powered by means of cables (6.1), while also comprising a second bushing (4) that has a housing (4.1) to accommodate a second vibration generator means (7) powered by means of about cables (7.1), where the power and phase and magnitude control of said vibration generating means comes from the control unit (8). 2. - Device for massaging and stretching certain parts of the body according to claim 1 characterized in that the bushes have a hollow or dedil cylinder configuration. 3. - Device for the massage and stretching of certain parts of the body according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the caps are fixed to the part of the body where they are applied by means of an adhesive or by pressure or with a lung or bladder, or combinations of the previous. 4. - Device for massaging and stretching certain parts of the body according to claim 3, characterized in the case of using a lung or bladder as a means of fixing the caps to the finger, each cap (3) and (4) has its own lung (3.3), (4.3) respectively to which air is supplied through ducts (3.2) and (4.2) respectively. 5. - Device for massaging and stretching certain parts of the body according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the programmable elastic means (5) is a thermo-stretchable wire made of an alloy of Ni and Ti. 6. - Device for massaging and stretching certain parts of the body according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means capable of modifying in a controlled manner the distance between the bushings have interposed channels between the bushings (3) and (4 ) and connected to an air supply duct (5.1) so that, depending on the air pressure supplied, there is a greater or less separation between the bushes. 7. - Device for massaging and stretching certain parts of the body according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit is responsible for controlling and regulating the intensity, phase and speed of the vibration generated in the vibration generating means. . 8. - Device for the massage and stretching of certain parts of the body according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vibration generating means is a motor associated with an eccentric or an electromagnetic actuator provided with an oscillating mass housed therein or a combination of both. 9. - Device for massaging and stretching certain parts of the body according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is used in combination with a dedil impregnated in its interior with an analgesic and / or anti-inflammatory product. 10. - Glove for the massage and stretching of certain parts of the body that has the device according to any of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that at least one of the fingers has the device for the treatment of osteoarthritis and arthritis.